The iPad is familiar, user friendly, and less intimidating than a note-taking device or laptop with speech. Teaching with Visual Impairments or Blindness to use a Screen Reader such as JAWS, WindowEyes, or VoiceOver has alway been challenge the programs are often to complex for children. The VoiceOver commands for Apple Computers often require the student to utilize keyboard commands specific to a task or program. These commands require the student to hit 3-4 keys at the same time. For example, to interact with text in textedit the student must press these 4 keys at the same time (apple, option, shift, and down arrow). Classrooms are using computers daily for instruction, independent learning, and internet research starting in Kindergarten. Many of my students have a great deal of difficulty with rote memorization, long term memory, or the finger dexterity to independently use a Screen Reader. Parents and Teachers are often lost as to how to assist my students while using a computer as they do not know how to use the Screen Reader. While using JAWS or VoiceOver the navigation the cursor is typically follows the VoiceOver cursor and not the mouse cursor, thus using the mouse instead of the correct key command will only make the student lose their place with in the application the are working on. Checkout the link below for a detailed list of VoiceOver Commands for
The Good news is the iPad uses a different set of touch commands which are very simple. Student with disabilities, blindness, low vision, as well as children in elementary school now have the ability to independently navigate the iPad or the Internet. With a flick of a finger, a drag in the right directions, or a series of taps the iPad is easily navigated with audio scanning a feedback. Hint for Teacher/Parents: Before turning on VoiceOver make sure that you Triple-click Home to turn on/off VoiceOver. The triple-click home feature is located in the setting menu under accessibility at the bottom of the menu. You want this feature active because it will allow you quick turn off VoiceOver to navigate the screen normally or insert text while teaching or assisting your child/student.
Teachers and Parents will find the familiar layout of the iPad friendly and it will allow them to watch what the user is doing on a visual display. If the student encounters difficulty navigating the screen, making a correction, or locating a link the instructor can simply touch the area needed without changes the VoiceOver cursor position. While teaching students to read sight words using a the RefreshaBraille 18 in note pad, VoiceOver can quickly be turned off using the Triple-click home, then you will have the ability to add text create and example, make a correction, whatever you want without have to know the VoiceOver commands or Braille. This is a great feature for Teachers and Parents because they will no be able to load any worksheets, text documents, or create on the fly examples. Once your addition has been inserted turn VoiceOver back on using the Triple-click home button and it will then start reading and reactive the Braille display if it connected. The Teacher's and staff I have worked with have found the iPad2 to be a valuable tool for them in planning and implementing instruction. Teachers and Parents have the ability to quickly create documents, upload existing documents, or upload audio files such as books, or audio recording of instructions. While working in a Kindergarten this year, I had the pleasure of working with a exceptionally devoted team who utilized and implemented Braille with my student through out the day. Although they found the Braille Plus note-taker intimidating the really like the iPad2 with the connect Braille display. Students quickly learned to utilize the VoiceOver swipe commands as well as the Braille display commands.
So what else could teacher, parents, and support staff do with an iPad
Teachers and Parents can quickly load documents they have created and upload them to the iPad via email, wifi, or bluetooh connection. Don't worry about knowing Braille as the the RefreshaBraille 18 will transcribe your text into either un-contracted or contracted Braille.
Apps like Dropbox, Mobileme, and nebulous are all compatible with VoiceOver. These applications can also be load to either a windows or Apple computer. Files for students can be saved in a files which will automatically sync to the iPad2.
Did you forget to enlarge Sally's worksheet for her? No worries take a picture of it. Pictures files can easily be enlarged or annotated. I've found that the PhotoLouPen app will allow your student to draw write the picture file to complete the worksheet. Using a simple app like PDFReader Lite or PDFReader Pro will allow you to change your picture file into a PDF file or use the scan options to change your picture of pdf file into a text document which can be read by VoiceOver.
The iPad has the functional ability to replace OCR software and act like a CCTV (closed circuit television). Portable CCTV systems are expensive and for the most part task specific. Because they are portable the often don't have the ability to write on the document you are using. PDF file formats for the most part have been in-accessible to students with visual impairments for some time unless you had additional software like OpenBook or Kurtzweil.
The iPad2 also has the ability to connect to any computer with Bluetooth or Wifi. This allows the student to access a computer using there iPad2 as a touch screen and a Screen Reader or Magnification.
Apps I like and use for pdf file annotations, picture annotations, pdf conversions to text of pics!
GoodReader: This is a file view with many powerful features. It allows students to make annotations to PDF files using a variety of tools such as highlighters, text, or handwriting. Unlike other pdf reader with annotations GoodReader will allow you to flatten the annotations to the page so that they annotations are viewable by any program. I love automatic file sync options which include: DropBox, Mobileme, Google, Email. or Wifi. Personally I like the the appearance as the files and menus are easily visible the action menus self explanatory. It does have a built in Web Browser with will allow the user to access a webpage and download it as a pdf. Although it open documents and picture files, you are able to make annotations to these documents as you would with a pdf.
New VoiceOver Commands using the Multitouch Pad on your Computer
VoiceOver Commands and Keyboard Shortcuts for Computers
Braille on the iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone
How Do Blind People Use an iPad, iPod, or iPhone
Utilizing the iPad or iPod with Blind Students in Regular Education Classrooms
How Do Blind People Use an iPad, iPod, or iPhone
Integrating Orientation & Mobility Concepts - Orientation to a Refreshable Braille Display
The Good news is the iPad uses a different set of touch commands which are very simple. Student with disabilities, blindness, low vision, as well as children in elementary school now have the ability to independently navigate the iPad or the Internet. With a flick of a finger, a drag in the right directions, or a series of taps the iPad is easily navigated with audio scanning a feedback. Hint for Teacher/Parents: Before turning on VoiceOver make sure that you Triple-click Home to turn on/off VoiceOver. The triple-click home feature is located in the setting menu under accessibility at the bottom of the menu. You want this feature active because it will allow you quick turn off VoiceOver to navigate the screen normally or insert text while teaching or assisting your child/student.
Teachers and Parents will find the familiar layout of the iPad friendly and it will allow them to watch what the user is doing on a visual display. If the student encounters difficulty navigating the screen, making a correction, or locating a link the instructor can simply touch the area needed without changes the VoiceOver cursor position. While teaching students to read sight words using a the RefreshaBraille 18 in note pad, VoiceOver can quickly be turned off using the Triple-click home, then you will have the ability to add text create and example, make a correction, whatever you want without have to know the VoiceOver commands or Braille. This is a great feature for Teachers and Parents because they will no be able to load any worksheets, text documents, or create on the fly examples. Once your addition has been inserted turn VoiceOver back on using the Triple-click home button and it will then start reading and reactive the Braille display if it connected. The Teacher's and staff I have worked with have found the iPad2 to be a valuable tool for them in planning and implementing instruction. Teachers and Parents have the ability to quickly create documents, upload existing documents, or upload audio files such as books, or audio recording of instructions. While working in a Kindergarten this year, I had the pleasure of working with a exceptionally devoted team who utilized and implemented Braille with my student through out the day. Although they found the Braille Plus note-taker intimidating the really like the iPad2 with the connect Braille display. Students quickly learned to utilize the VoiceOver swipe commands as well as the Braille display commands.
So what else could teacher, parents, and support staff do with an iPad
iPad: Configuring accessibility features (including VoiceOver and Zoom)
Common Braille commands for VoiceOver navigation
American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Refreshabraille 18: Device keys for VoiceOver navigation
Apps I like and use for pdf file annotations, picture annotations, pdf conversions to text of pics!